If you're a non-military Air Force employee, you will have
to pay for your own flu shot this year. And you can blame it on sequestration.

The Air Force is no longer offering free flu shots to
non-military employees. In the past, Air Force Materiel Command made the free
flu shots available to civilian employees as part of its wellness program. More
than 12,000 civilian employees took advantage of the free shots last year.

The change will impact civilian employees who are not
covered under Tricare health program.

"In the past, AFMC has offered both the flu vaccine and and wellness programs because civilian health and wellness is an important factor that supports our command mission," said Col. James King, AFMC command surgeon. "Unfortunately,
limited resources wellness programs because civilian health and wellness is an
important factor that supports our command required us to prioritize and
ultimately fund broader health programs that provide more resources for the
total health of our civilian workforce."

Air Force officials said vaccine purchases had to be made in
early 2013, a time when Air Force officials said its "budget numbers were less
certain." Sequestration's across-the-board cuts started March 1.

Last year, less than 20 percent of the civilian population utilized
the free vaccines, prompting the Air Force to end the program and use the funds
for its Employee Assistance Program and Civilian Health Promotion Services.

"Getting a flu shot is the best way to help prevent
influenza," King said. "Early immunization is key to protecting
yourself and your family members, so we encourage everyone to get
vaccinated."

Air Force officials said civilian workers not covered by
Tricare should contact their private health care providers to obtain a flu shot
this year. Active duty military members, military retirees and military family
members are still eligible for shots under Tricare.